Does anybody out there like the lemon or banana puddings? I've not tried them yet. Are they good straight out of the packet or do you ever add anything to them to "help" the taste?

Also, how is that berry yogurt drink?

Thanks for your tips!

The only pudding I've tried is the chocolate and I do not enjoy it at all. The texture and taste just don't work for me.

But the yogurt drink I really like, especially with very cold water. One of my favorites.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckanable

Are we allowed cooked onions? I got the impression that we weren't allowed to have them and I am having a hard time living without!

I had the same concern about the onions. Though I'm not supposed to, I do saute my onions with my other vegetables. I'm careful not to caramelize them, just take some of the "bite" out of them. I've been doing this since day1 and doubt very seriously that it's affecting my weight loss.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordanna

Well I just booked & paid for a 17 day cruise for April 2011. We're also going to spend a week in Florida before we head out on the cruise...that means I have just over a year to be at my goal weight, because there's no way I'm cruising as a fat kid

Congrats. There's some built-in motivation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeybeth

i've just started IP (i'm on day 5). i'm not taking the vitamins like i'm supposed to because i don't do well with large vitamins. do i need to take them? i also have not purchased sea salt. what's the purpose of the sea salt?

i'm finding myself growing tired of so many vegetables already, but think i could enjoy them with the proper recipes for good dressings and stuff to saute in or spice them up with. (i bought several waldenfarms dressings and wish i'd saved my money. ick.)

i like the chocolate drink (although i can't figure out why it clumps sometimes when i'm only heating it for less than 40 seconds??) and the bars. the bars are good. i don't like the omelette mix much, mostly due to the texture of it.

the good news is that i can already tell i've lost some weight by the feel of my clothing and the difference in my facial features. my kids have noticed too.

any suggestions, tips, etc for a newbie?

thanks so much! joey

Here's my tips:

Find ways to eat your vegetables without just eating vegetables. I chop up a cup of veggies and have it in my omelet for breakfast. Chop up a cup of veggies and mix it into the chicken soup.

It may be too soon to try Walden Farms dressings. If this is only your 5th day, then you still remember how good real dressings taste. Give yourself a few weeks on the diet and then try them again. When I started, I didn't eat salads at all since I couldn't have dressing. About three weeks in, I decided to buy the WF dressings so I could have salad. I was quite surprised at how edible they are. Give your taste buds some time to adjust.

Take the supplements. I'm not very good with taking large pills either. When I started IP, I had to work each supplement down individually. Now I can just throw them all in there at once and swallow them with one gulp of water.

I am new to the group! If you don't mind. I have a buddy system going to with a couple others ladies I know. My one friend has lost over 35 pounds on IP. She is doing and looking great and I thought I should do that too.

So here I am .... ready, set and go!

I have read through your posts for a couple weeks now. I am also going to track my food in a fit day schedule. I have to keep track of my fibre anyway so....why not!

I have been craving hot cocoa! Can you make the choco pudding into a drink and heat it? What about the choco drink? Has anyone done this and does it work?

Yes - i've done this often. You do need to heat all of the IP drinks in small bursts i.e. 30 seconds and then stir. if you heat them too fast, they cook instead of heat and they're lumpy. I don't buy the chocolate drink anymore - i only buy the pudding and add extra water to make it into a drink. if you check the carb counts, the puddings are lower than the drinks and i don't notice the taste being any different.

It may be too soon to try Walden Farms dressings. If this is only your 5th day, then you still remember how good real dressings taste. Give yourself a few weeks on the diet and then try them again. When I started, I didn't eat salads at all since I couldn't have dressing. About three weeks in, I decided to buy the WF dressings so I could have salad. I was quite surprised at how edible they are. Give your taste buds some time to adjust.

Take the supplements. I'm not very good with taking large pills either. When I started IP, I had to work each supplement down individually. Now I can just throw them all in there at once and swallow them with one gulp of water.

Just hang in there and keep going. It all gets easier.

great tips Scott! I also would encourage folks to try new veggies - ones you didn't like before, you may like now. I absolutely hated turnips and radishes before - now i find that i really like them. same with the IP products - i despised the cereal in the beginning but now really like it and find it really refreshing. However, I'm still not sold on the WF products except for the balsamic and asian dressings - i use them as my bbq sauce on meat - hate on salads. My salad dressing is equal parts white vinegar and light olive oil with about 1/4 of a packet of splenda. i bought one of those oil/vinegar thingees - i don't bother refrigerating it as it's only oil and vinegar and not perishable - very handy.

I just had the veggie chili for lunch today, omg is it good!!! As it's restricted, can't have it too often, but this is definitely a favorite of mine, if anyone is looking for something beyond the soups and stuff, toss this in on occasion!! I love tacos, but obviously the wraps and shells are a no no, I didn't do it today, but next time, I'm going to put the chili on top of my salad for nice taco like salad

I just had the veggie chili for lunch today, omg is it good!!! As it's restricted, can't have it too often, but this is definitely a favorite of mine, if anyone is looking for something beyond the soups and stuff, toss this in on occasion!! I love tacos, but obviously the wraps and shells are a no no, I didn't do it today, but next time, I'm going to put the chili on top of my salad for nice taco like salad

I love chili & tacos too - there are some great recipes for chili and a taco seasoning on the recipe boards so you can have it at dinner whenever you want I make taco lettuce cups allll the time!

babs181 I almost had the chili today just to try it. Then I talked myself out of a restricted because I wasn't really that hungry.
I love your idea of putting it over salad. I will be trying this soon.
I like the Walden Farms "balsamic vinaigrette" ok and the honey barbecue. Bought the Thousand Island but I find it so gloppy and unappealing. Will probably throw it away.
I agree with Dad that after having no salad dressing for awhile, these WF's are ok and a nice change from plain lettuce with olive oil.Mom 22 - what oil/vinegar thingee? Your white wine &
oil & splenda sounds simple and good. And I like the cereal now too -- just not every day.

Second week, 3.8 pounds gone! Very thankful for that, it's a bright spot in a very dismal week.

I'm having very serious issues with my husband and his mother. My husband and I have had rough patches before, usually stemming from his mother. I'm stressed out and depressed over the whole mess and hope my husband steps up here or there may be serious changes in my life down the road. I know the stress isn't going to help me long-term on IP. Last night I was so furious, I could have so easily blown everything and instead I went to the gym and walked for an hour.

Hi everyone, had a another good week this week. Another 4 lbs down. That is 31 in 6 weeks. Found a store here in Fort Lauderdale that sells all the Walden Farms products and i must admit the carmel is excellent. I take two teaspoons or that, along with my vanilla pudding, 1/2 cup of coffee, and put it in the blender for breakfast!! Hope everyone has a great week!